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Scholars asked to make folklore research more meaningful

Academic talk: R.V.S. Sundaram, folk scholar from Mysore University, speaking after inaugurating the two-day national seminar on folklore, in Hampi on Monday.

HAMPI: R.V.S. Sundaram, Director of the Kuvempu Kannada Study Centre, Mysore, has underlined the need for scholars to create new trends in research to make the study of folklore a meaningful enterprise.

He was speaking after inaugurating a two-day symposium on Folklore Studies organised by the Department of Folklore studies, Kannada University, in association with the Central Institute of Indian Languages, Mysore, here on Monday.

“For various reasons, in the beginning we followed trends set by scholars abroad with regard to the study of folklore. But now we no longer need to emulate their system. We have realised that the prevailing set-up here is different from those in foreign countries. At least now, a beginning should be made to create our own trends for the purpose,” he said.

Mr. Sundaram said that scholars should limit the geographical area they studied in order to acquire a sound understanding of the people and their cultural practices. Instead of taking a district as a whole, they should restrict their field, as greater knowledge could be derived from focussed research, he said.

“Unlike in foreign countries, it is heartening to note that the concept of direct experience and interaction still exists in our country, which will help scholars understand the meaning behind the traditions constituting folklore,” he said and expressed hope that the symposium would enable people to invent new research methodologies. Kikkeri Narayan of the Central Institute of Indian Languages, Mysore, who presided over the function, asked scholars to study various aspects of mythology present in our folklore to understand the people better.

He also said that folk history might not have been continuous, but what was said did have meaning, especially with regard to the practice of rituals.

“We do come across several versions of a particular subject in folklore. Apart from collecting relevant material and documenting it, one has to make a systematic study to ensure objective understanding of rules governing the people’s practices,” he said.

Vamadev Shivacharya of the Hampi Savira Devara Math, Hampi, also spoke. Hebbale Nagesh, Head of Folklore studies at Kannada University, welcomed the gathering. Ravindra proposed a vote of thanks.

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